There are several different car wash nozzle designs out there, each with their advantages and drawbacks. A lot depends on personal preferences.
When you wash your car, you basically want two kinds of spray patterns: a strong, compact blast pattern to hose off pre-wash dirt and a soft, wide rinse pattern to rinse your car after you’ve washed it.
We’ve selected the best car wash nozzles out there:
Car Wash Nozzle Water Pressure
This is a loaded subject. Let’s pop this bubble once and for all:
A lot of manufacturers promise a large pressure increase when you use their car wash nozzle, and that their nozzle performs like a pressure washer.
Well, it doesn’t and it never will!
Because of the laws of physics this is simply not possible.
All these “wonder nozzles” do is increase the water velocity or speed by decreasing the hose end diameter, called the “Bernoulli Principle”.
But then, this is what ALL car wash nozzles do!
It has to be said that some nozzles do a better job at centering rather than dispersing the power of the water jet, but still they come nowhere near the mechanical cleaning power of any pressure washer.
With a constant water pressure you can only adjust the jet orifice until the optimal volume to velocity ratio is reached.
That is what everyone instinctively does when adjusting the car wash nozzle to get the most powerful jet or spray the farthest.
Once you have reached this point, that’s it. No magic trick will increase the power of the jet any further.
A pressure washer on the other hand increases pressure with a built-in electrical water pressure pump. The extra power doesn’t come from any special gun or car wash nozzle, but from the added electrical energy. More on the subject in CCM’s “Top 5 Best Pressure Washers“.
So, do not expect miracles from any “magic” car wash nozzle when it comes to increasing water pressure. If you want more pressure without using a pressure washer, you will have to increase the pressure at the source, be it at the tap or water pump.
In some areas in the USA you can however increase your water pressure by adjusting the water regulator or by placing a tap between the water meter and the regulator.
Incoming water pressure can be 150 PSI or more, but the regulator normally brings it down to 40-60 PSI.
Of course you should first check local regulation and the pressure limitations of the rest of your installation before making any changes or adjustments.
Use due diligence!
Car Wash Nozzle Designs
The most common modern car wash nozzle designs can be categorized in roughly 5 styles:
- adjustable trigger gun
- rotary head multi-spray pattern gun
- fire hose style
- fixed nozzle
- wand style
If designed and manufactured well, they all do their job.
Again it’s more of a personal preference.
Here are the ones we like best:
Top 5 Best Car Wash Hose Nozzles
Best Adjustable Car Wash Trigger-Gun Nozzle
This all-metal and brass constructed gun is much stronger and impact resistant than plastic car wash nozzles.
Its spray pattern is stepless adjustable from jet to wide fan.
The ergonomic trigger design can easily be set in fixed position for continuous spraying.
It’s rust- and leakproof.
Best 7-in-1 Rotary Head Car Wash Nozzle
A 7-in-1 rotary selector head guarantees a perfect powerful jet, spray or mist for all different kinds of rinsing and hosing.
It’s all in a twist of the wrist.
When using this car wash nozzle, there’s less fatigue with the thumb on/off switch and everything feels familiar and ergonomic.
All internals are made of metal and the gun is fitted with a quick-connect water stop.
There’s no 7 ways about it: this is great German quality 😉
Best Fire Hose Style Car Wash Nozzle
With its die-cast zinc construction and Grip Guard insulation this comfortable, practical design can take a beating.
This car wash nozzle is even constructed to take 250 PSI!
The fire hose on/off lever makes it easy to adjust pressure while the adjustable spray head can be set from a powerful jet to a light rinse.
Hose it like a pro!
Best Fixed Car Wash Blast Nozzle
This is the ideal no-nonsense all brass, solid machined nozzle.
The kind of car wash nozzle that lasts forever.
Its design concentrates the waterflow in a thin but powerful jet to blast dirt, leaves and bird droppings off your car with ease.
Minimum water usage – 7 GPM at 80 PSI
A Heavy-Duty Brass Shut-Off Valve is a practical add-on.
Best Wand-Style Car Wash Nozzle
With its long reach you no longer have to bend and stretch while spraying your car’s wheels or roof with a hard jet or a soft shower.
The head of this car wash nozzle swivels 90° both directions for the ideal spray angle.
Its frost-resistant German design includes a soft plastic ring on the head to protect it from damage should you drop it.
One word: abracadabra 😉
Final Thoughts
All the selected car wash nozzles have about the same rinsing power and are all made to last for years.
4 out of 5 are adjustable to your specific needs.
In the end it’s all about preferences.
Happy detailing!
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